Former Sri Lankan First Lady Detained for Corruption Claims

WHO:

ABC News - The wife of Sri Lanka’s former President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

BBC News - The 73-year-old ex-first lady of Sri Lanka.

WHAT:

ABC News - The ex-first lady has been arrested and detained on allegations of misusing donations received into her charity.

BBC News - The arrest is related to allegations that a charity linked to her misused donations intended for a children's hospital.

WHERE:

ABC News - Sri Lanka.

WHY:

ABC News - Allegations of misusing donations received into her charity when she was first lady.

HOW:

BBC News - The charity is alleged to have misused donations.

(UPDATED October 7, 2026 18:10 UTC)

The ex-first lady of Sri Lanka, the wife of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, has been arrested on allegations of misusing donations intended for a children's hospital. Authorities claim that the charity linked to her misappropriated funds during her time as first lady. This significant development is unfolding in Sri Lanka, where the scrutiny over charitable practices continues to grow.